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[Wesnoth-dev] Thoughts on the forum restructuring


From: James Barton
Subject: [Wesnoth-dev] Thoughts on the forum restructuring
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 13:37:15 -0500

I also posted this message in abbreviated form on the forums - http://wesnoth.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=135784#135784

I'm not a "true developer", but I have some thoughts on the recent forum restructuring which I'd like to share.

Firstly, I think that the move is a sound one. Many developmental discussions get drowned out in the noise of the feedback which inevitably arises around them, making it difficult to hold to a single, productive thread. This is particularly true, probably, of Art Development. Jetryl's work, for instance, rarely needs an extended feedback-improvement cycle, and having lots of feedback in the thread can actually get in the way. This is where the "division" helps, in that it limits the amount and quality of discussion in the developer's areas.

However, there are certain consequences which must be kept in mind. Two, which are interlinked, are community relations and community feedback. People like being "in the know". They also like to be able to talk about new developments, and to talk about them with those developing. This creates a sense of belonging, and a powerful community atmosphere which I think Wesnoth really achieves. (Anyone who's ever dared the Blizzard forums knows that web communities don't have to feel communal - they can be divisive, acidic and viscerally unpleasant).

With the division in place, a little bit more effort will have to be made to involve users. As ideas mature into visual stages, they should probably be "showcased" in the User's Forums for criticism and feedback. For instance, Jetryl's "High Elves" could have a topic, or freim's new GUI proposals (GUIs in particular being an area where community feedback can provide new information - remember that surprising "time of day" discussion about right->left vs left->right?)

While removing some of the discussion from work in development is a very good idea, user feedback remains valuable and it's now going to take just a little bit more effort to solicit it.


Secondly, I do think that the "Ideas" forum should be open to newcomers. Yes, most ideas posted there are rehashes of old ones. Yes, a lot of the discussion which goes on there doesn't produce meaningful results, or add to the game's development.

However, I think that many users come to the forums specifically to give their ideas on Wesnoth. They may not be useful ideas, but to block them out is to send a signal to new users that "we don't want your ideas", and, more subtly, "we don't want you on our forums".

In short, I feel that dealing with an unruly ideas forum is necessary to ensure a vibrant and involved community.


Just my musings,

James Barton
a.k.a. Sangel

PS: I turn 21 at midnight tonight, which happens to be the second time I've reached legal drinking age. So here's a glass to Wesnoth, and all the developers who've made it so incredible!





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